Storage chest

ABSTRACT

A storage chest constructed of corrugated board formed of a main panel member forming a front wall connected to two end walls by vertical fold lines with floor support panels extending from the front and end walls along horizontal fold lines and a mating panel integrally defining a rear wall, a rear floor support panel and a lid with the rear wall connected to the rear edges of the sidewalls and a separate floor member inserted within the confines of the front, rear and sidewalls, the entire structure being supported by support legs in the form of squared convolutions of a strip of corrugated material and with each corner of the chest provided with cover plates embracing the lower portions of each corner and each leg.

United States Patent 1,950,168 3/1934 Fancher ABSTRACT: A storage chest constructed of corrugated board formed of a main panel member forming a front wall connected to two end walls by vertical fold lines with floor support panels extending from the front and end walls along horizontal fold lines and a mating panel integrally defining a rear wall, a rear floor support panel and a lid with the rear wall connected to the rear edges of the sidewalls and a separate floor member inserted within the confines of the front, rear and sidewalls, the entire structure being supported by support legs in the form of squared convolutions of a strip of corrugated material and with each comer of the chest provided with cover plates em bracing the lower portions of each corner and each leg.

PATENTEDNUY 2 IQYI SHEET 10F 2 INVENTOR G H. WEANT UL ATTORNEYS BY maW iWwQ,

STORAGE CHEST BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention is in the field of containers and is specifically directed to the field of storage containers formed of corrugated board or the like.

The prior art is replete with a vast variety of containers, boxes, chests and the like formed primarily of corrugated board or equivalent material. Such prior known devices usually incorporate connectors such as staples, tape and the like for connecting the various container components. Moreover, many of the prior known devices of this same general type have been difficult to assemble and have not provided adequate strength for the storage of heavy items. These and other limitations of the prior art are overcome by the present invention which provides a uniquely strong, economical, very easy to assemble construction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is the primary object of this invention to provide a new and improved storage chest of rugged, yet economical, construction.

Obtainment of the object of this invention is enabled through the provision of a chest formed of corrugated board in a unique and inventive manner. The chest is formed of two primary members, a main panel member and a mating panel member. The main panel member is in .the form of an integral front wall, a first end wall connected to one end of the front wall along a vertical fold line and a second end wall connected to the other end of the front wall along a vertical fold line. Additionally, the main panel is also provided with a front floor support panel connected along the lower edge of the front wall and first and second end floor support panels connected to the first and second end wall members along horizontal fold lines along the bottom edge of the end wall members.

The mating panel member includes an integrally formed rear wall portion connected to a rear floor support panel along a horizontal fold line along the lower edge of the rear wall and to a lid panel along the upper edge of the rear wall in like manner. The rear vertical edge of the first end wall and the rear vertical edge of the second end wall are connected to the ends of the rear wall by adhesive tab means on the end walls. Additionally, a separate floor panel is fitted in over the floor support panels in the confines of the end walls, the front wall and the rear wall.

Support for the entire chest is provided by four support legs positioned adjacent each corner of the chest beneath the floor support panels and in the form of a square convoluted strip of corrugated board formed into an integral rectangular post by adhesive means. A shield is provided on each corner of the chest embracing the lower portions of each corner and the associated leg.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the preferred embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment as assembled;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along lines 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view with portions removed to illustrate the interior construction; and

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along lines 5-5 of FIG. 4.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Attention is initially invited to FIG. 1 which illustrates all of the component parts of the preferred embodiment which is in the form of a toy chest generally designated 20. Chest is formed of two primary component members, a main panel member 22 and a mating panel member 24, which are connected together and associated with other smaller component parts all of which are formed of corrugated fiberboard or the like.

Main panel member 22 includes a plurality of components formed integrally therewith which are positioned to form component parts of the finished chest. Specifically, the main panel member includes a front wall 26 defined by an upper fold line 28, a lower fold line 30 and a first vertical edge fold line 32 and a second vertical edge fold line 34.

A first end wall 36 is connected to the front wall 26 along the vertical fold line 32 and a second end wall 38 is connected to the front wall 26 along the second vertical edge fold line 34. A first end floor support panel 40 extends from a first lower end fold line 42 connecting panel 40 to end wall 36 and a second end floor support panel 44 extends from a second lower end fold line 46 defining the lower edge of end wall 38.

The upper edge of the first end wall 36 is defined by a first upper end fold line 50 which also defines a connection between the upper edge of end wall 36 and a first end reinforcing rim panel 52. A front reinforcing rim panel 53 is connected along fold line 28 to front wall 26 to be folded inwardly and adhesively secured to wall 26 as shown in FIG. 3. Similarly, a second upper end fold line: 54 defines the connection between the second end wall 38 and a second upper end rim panel 56. A front floor support panel 58 is connected to the front wall 26 along fold line 30 as shown.

The rearmost edge of first end wall .36 is defined by a third vertical edge fold line 60 which connects the rearmost edge of end wall 36 to a first connector tab 62. Similarly, the rearmost end of the second end wall 38 is connected by a fourth vertical edge fold line 64 to a second connector tab 66.

Mating panel member 24 comprises a rear wall 68 defined by vertical edges 70 and 72, an upper rearward fold line 74 and a lower rearward fold line 76. A lid panel 78 is connected to the rear wall 68 along upper rearward fold line 74 and extends forwardly in a horizontal direction to terminate along an upper front fold line 80. The end edges of lid 78 are defined by horizontal upper edges 82 and 84. An exterior front rim panel 86 is extended from the front edge of lid 78 along fold line and is of double thickness by virtue of a folded under portion 88 folded along a lower edge fold line 90 as best shown in FIG. 1

The lid construction is completed by the addition of first and second end caps and 102 respectively. Each end cap comprises a top panel 104, a side panel 106 and an interior panel 108. A fold line 110 extends between panels 104 and 106 and a fold line 114 connects panels 106 and 108. Fold line 114 defines the upper end edge of the lid. It should be noted that the discussion of the end caps is directed to the second end cap 106 which is folded out in FIG. 1; however, end cap 100 is of identical construction but is reversely oriented in mirrorlike fashion. A decorative tab 116 is connected to the forward edge of the caps 100 and 102 along a fold line 118. In like manner, a base tab is shown in FIG. 1 extending forwardly of the side panel 106 and the interior panel 108 along fold line 118. The end cap is assembled by initially folding along fold line 114 to bring the inside panel into overlying aligned relationship with the side panel 106. The cap is then folded 90 along line 110 and the panel 120 which is of double thickness is folded inwardly about fold line 118 to be positioned adjacent the front end surface of exterior front rim panel 86. Decorative tab 116 is then bent downwardly over panel 120 and the panels are retained in position by conventional adhesive means. It should be noted that the end cap is fitted to the ends of lid 78 by adhesive applied adjacent ends 82 and 84 and adjacent the ends of front rim 86. Additionally, a folded decorative facade panel 122 is adhesively secured to the front surface of rim panel 86 between the decorative tabs 116.

The main panel 22 and mating panel 24 are associated together with the front floor supporting panel 58 and the rear floor supporting panel 77 having their innermost edges overlying each other as best shown in FIG. 3. These floor-supporting panels are adhesively secured along their overlying areas. Moreover, the first end floor support panel 40 and the second end floor support panel 44 overlie the upper surfaces of panels 58 and 77 and are adhesively secured to these upper surfaces. A separate floor panel 124 is provided in overlying relationship to the fioor support panels 58, 77, 40 and M and is adhesively secured thereto within the confines of the end panels 36, 38, the front wall 26 and the rear wall 68.

Additionally, the first and second end reinforcing rim panels 52 and 56 are bent inwardly and adhesively secured in abutting relationship with respect to their associated end walls 36 and 38. Consequently, the fold lines 50 and 54 define the upper edge of each end of the resultant chest construction. Additionally, the front reinforcing rim panel 53 is folded inwardly along fold line 28 and secured to the interior surface of front wall 26 by adhesive means.

Support for the entire chest is provided by four legs 128 formed of a strip of fiberboard in the form of a squared convolution with the contacting portions of the strip being adhesively secured to provide a unitary rectangular construction. Legs 128 are adhesively secured beneath the chest adjacent each comer thereof. Leg shields 130 formed of first and second concentric portions bent along a fold line 132 embrace the lower portion of each comer of the chest and the associated legs and are adhesively retained in place thereon.

The assembled chest is remarkably sturdy and is possessed of a number of advantages over the prior known systems. It should be noted that the lid 78 is opened and closed by movement about the fold line 74 and that the exposed edges of the chest are all rounded in order to present a pleasing, safe and reliable construction. The floor construction is extremely sturdy and is capable of supporting substantial weight.

Various modifications of the subject invention will occur to those skilled in the art but which will not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, a wide variety of materials could be employed without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, it should be understood that the scope of this invention should be determined solely by the appended claims.

lclaim:

l. A rectangular chest comprising a main panel member integrally defining a rectangular front wall, first and second rectangular end walls, a front floor support panel, a front interior reinforcing rim panel and first and second end reinforcing rim panels, said front wall being connected to said front floor support panel along a fold line on the lower edge of said front wall, said first end wall being connected to said front wall along a vertical fold line on a first end of said front wall, said second end wall being connected to said front wall along a vertical fold line on a second end of said front wall, said front floor support panel being connected to said front wall along a horizontal fold line along the bottom of said front wall, a mating panel being connectable to portions of said main panel member and integrally defining a rectangular rear wall, a rear floor support panel, and a rectangular lid panel, said rear floor support panel being connected to said rear wall along a fold line on the bottom of said rear wall and said lid panel being connected to said rear wall along a fold line along the top of said rear wall, said front and rear floor support panels extending horizontally and having overlapping portions which are connected substantially midway between said front wall and said rear wall, a floor panel resting on said front and rear floor support panels within the confines of said front wall, said rear wall and said end walls, first connecting means connecting the rear edge of said first end wall to a first end of said rear wall, and second connecting means connecting the rear edge of said second end wall to a second end of said rear wall, and rim means extending about the periphery of said lid means to be positioned externally of said end walls and said front wall when said lid is in a closed position.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said rim means is formed of an exterior front rim panel extending integrally from the front edge of the lid and comprising an outer rim portion and a folded under rim portion immediately inward of the outer portion connected to the outer portion along the lower edge of the rim by a fold line and first and second end caps connected to the ends of said lid and secured to said front rim panel and said lid.

3. The invention of claim 2 additionally including a first end floor support panel extending integrally from the lower edge of said first end wall and connected thereto along a fold line and a second end floor support panel extending horizontally from said second end wall along a fold line along the bottom of said second end wall, said first end floor support panel and said second end floor support panel being horizontally positioned above said front floor support panel and said rear floor support panel and adhesively secured thereto.

4. The invention of claim 3 additionally including rectangular support legs connected to the bottom surface of said front support panel and said rear support panel adjacent the comers of said chest.

5. The invention of claim 4 wherein said support legs each comprises a corrugated strip folded into a squared convolution about vertical fold lines.

6. The invention of claim 5 additionally including exterior leg shields formed of first and second shield panels connected along a vertical fold line to embrace the lower portions of the corners of the chest and exterior surfaces of each support leg.

7. The invention of claim 6 wherein said first and second end reinforcing rim panels are folded inwardly against the interior surface of said first and second rectangular end walls respectively and are adhesively secured to said first and second rectangular end walls and said front interior reinforcing rim panel is folded inwardly in abutting relationship against the inner surface of said front wall and adhesively secured thereto.

8. The invention of claim 1 additionally including a first end floor support panel extending integrally from the lower edge of said first end wall and connected thereto along a fold line and a second end floor support panel extending horizontally from said second end wall along a fold line along the bottom of said second end wall, said first end floor support panel and said second end floor support panel being horizontally positioned above said front floor support panel and said rear floor support panel and adhesively secured thereto.

9. The invention of claim 8 additionally including rectangular support legs connected to the bottom surface of said front support panel and said rear support panel adjacent the corners of said chest.

10. The invention of claim 9 wherein said support legs each comprises a corrugated strip folded into a squared convolution about vertical fold lines.

11. The invention of claim 10 additionally including exterior leg shields formed of first and second shield panels connected along a vertical fold line to embrace the lower portions of the corners of the chest and exterior surfaces of each support leg.

12. The invention of claim 11 wherein said first and second end reinforcing rim panels are folded inwardly against the interior surface of said first and second rectangular end walls respectively and are adhesively secured to said first and second rectangular end walls and said front interior reinforcing rim panel is folded inwardly in abutting relationship against the inner surface of said front wall and adhesively secured thereto. 

1. A rectangular chest comprising a main panel member integrally defining a rectangular front wall, first and second rectangular end walls, a front floor support panel, a front interior reinforcing rim panel and first and second end reinforcing rim panels, said front wall being connected to said front floor support panel along a fold line on the lower edge of said front wall, said first end wall being connected to said front wall along a vertical fold line on a first end of said front wall, said second end wall being connected to said front wall along a vertical fold line on a second end of said front wall, said front floor support panel being connected to said front wall along a horizontal fold line along the bottom of said front wall, a mating panel being connectable to portions of said main panel Member and integrally defining a rectangular rear wall, a rear floor support panel, and a rectangular lid panel, said rear floor support panel being connected to said rear wall along a fold line on the bottom of said rear wall and said lid panel being connected to said rear wall along a fold line along the top of said rear wall, said front and rear floor support panels extending horizontally and having overlapping portions which are connected substantially midway between said front wall and said rear wall, a floor panel resting on said front and rear floor support panels within the confines of said front wall, said rear wall and said end walls, first connecting means connecting the rear edge of said first end wall to a first end of said rear wall, and second connecting means connecting the rear edge of said second end wall to a second end of said rear wall, and rim means extending about the periphery of said lid means to be positioned externally of said end walls and said front wall when said lid is in a closed position.
 2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said rim means is formed of an exterior front rim panel extending integrally from the front edge of the lid and comprising an outer rim portion and a folded under rim portion immediately inward of the outer portion connected to the outer portion along the lower edge of the rim by a fold line and first and second end caps connected to the ends of said lid and secured to said front rim panel and said lid.
 3. The invention of claim 2 additionally including a first end floor support panel extending integrally from the lower edge of said first end wall and connected thereto along a fold line and a second end floor support panel extending horizontally from said second end wall along a fold line along the bottom of said second end wall, said first end floor support panel and said second end floor support panel being horizontally positioned above said front floor support panel and said rear floor support panel and adhesively secured thereto.
 4. The invention of claim 3 additionally including rectangular support legs connected to the bottom surface of said front support panel and said rear support panel adjacent the corners of said chest.
 5. The invention of claim 4 wherein said support legs each comprises a corrugated strip folded into a squared convolution about vertical fold lines.
 6. The invention of claim 5 additionally including exterior leg shields formed of first and second shield panels connected along a vertical fold line to embrace the lower portions of the corners of the chest and exterior surfaces of each support leg.
 7. The invention of claim 6 wherein said first and second end reinforcing rim panels are folded inwardly against the interior surface of said first and second rectangular end walls respectively and are adhesively secured to said first and second rectangular end walls and said front interior reinforcing rim panel is folded inwardly in abutting relationship against the inner surface of said front wall and adhesively secured thereto.
 8. The invention of claim 1 additionally including a first end floor support panel extending integrally from the lower edge of said first end wall and connected thereto along a fold line and a second end floor support panel extending horizontally from said second end wall along a fold line along the bottom of said second end wall, said first end floor support panel and said second end floor support panel being horizontally positioned above said front floor support panel and said rear floor support panel and adhesively secured thereto.
 9. The invention of claim 8 additionally including rectangular support legs connected to the bottom surface of said front support panel and said rear support panel adjacent the corners of said chest.
 10. The invention of claim 9 wherein said support legs each comprises a corrugated strip folded into a squared convolution about vertical fold lines.
 11. The invention of claim 10 additionally including exterior leg shieldS formed of first and second shield panels connected along a vertical fold line to embrace the lower portions of the corners of the chest and exterior surfaces of each support leg.
 12. The invention of claim 11 wherein said first and second end reinforcing rim panels are folded inwardly against the interior surface of said first and second rectangular end walls respectively and are adhesively secured to said first and second rectangular end walls and said front interior reinforcing rim panel is folded inwardly in abutting relationship against the inner surface of said front wall and adhesively secured thereto. 